Effects of Building Debris and Waste Dumping Areas on Soil Nutrient Contents in Agricultural Areas in Islahiye and Nurdağı After Hatay and Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Abstract

Earthquakes on February 6 and February 20

2023

in Kahramanmaraş and Hatay caused significant loss of life and property in Türkiye. The effects of building debris and waste dumping areas (DWDA) that occurred after earthquakes are an important question mark on agricultural lands. This study aims to investigate the nutrient contents of the agricultural areas in Islahiye and Nurdağı

Gaziantep province

where large amounts of building debris and waste deposited after the earthquakes. A total of 53 surface (0-30 cm) soil samples were taken from agricultural lands in around DWDAs

at distances of 0 m

500 m

1000 m

and 2000 m. Soil samples were measured for pH

inorganic carbonate (IC)

organic matter (SOM)

soil texture

available phosphorus (Pav)

calcium (Caav)

potassium (Kav)

magnesium (Mgav)

extractable copper (Cuex)

iron (Feex)

manganese (Mnex)

and zinc (Znex). Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in Kav

Caav

Mgav

Cuex

Feex

and Mnex of agricultural soils around DWDAs. On the other hand

no significant differences were noted in the nutrient contents (except Feex and Mnex) at different distances from the DWDAs (p>0.05). Spatial distribution maps revealed that the distributions of nutrients were heterogenous. Correlation analyses indicated that sources of nutrient could be lithogenic processes and agricultural practices. The results of this study showed that although DWDAs barely contribute to plant nutrients in soil to a level that would affect agricultural productivity

it is necessary to monitor this unusual source of pollution due to risks it may pose to natural and agricultural soil health and to healthy food production in the future.